The little company that brings you back from chaos

Erica Aitken

CEO

Founder and CEO of Rods and Cones, Erica Aitken has a background in graphic design and publishing, and has devoted 25 years to exploring color management and automation solutions, and anything new and useful that could be tested.

She is delighted to exchange ideas with new technical partner, Jason Tempestini, and looks forward to working with him to bring new and innovative technologies to our deeply appreciated customers

Jason Tempestini

CTO

Jason Tempestini is Rods and Cones’ newest partner and CTO. Over decades wherever he worked, Jason brought in automation, G7 certifications on press, eco inks and FSC-certified papers, grand format and digital printing advancements, and brought prepress to current, stable standards. An expert at FileMaker Pro and web applications, he builds shop management and other data-driven applications.

His decades in printing, innovative work with applications, and natural curiosity for technology will lead Rods and Cones to a next level of service.

“I look forward to working with Creatives, Prepress, and Printers to build innovative, stable, and accurate workflows to eliminate the frustrations of wasted time and money,” says Jason. We do too.

Stephanie Hocom

Myriad Business Services, LLC.

Stephanie Hocom is a QuickBooks Proadvisor and Accounting Consultant who empowers small businesses by providing bookkeeping and operational support services.

Before starting Myriad Business Services, Stephanie spent 15 years as an accounting manager for small to mid sized businesses in Santa Cruz County. After a successful career of helping companies as an employee, Stephanie now helps dozens of small business to reach their potential and attain their goals. She is available for free consultations. You can reach her at Stephanie@rodsandcones.com, or the Quickbooks account profile page [https://app.qbo.intuit.com/app/accountant/profile], or here [https://www.facebook.com/myriadbusiness].

Real life solutions for over 25 Years

Since 1996, Rods and Cones has provided top-quality, workflow systems and technical services for advertising and graphic agencies, photo studios, prepress services agencies, print providers, and in-house creative groups. Over the years, we have provided services and products to more than 800 clients all over the country, from the smallest one-person studio to great workflow innovators like E&J Gallo Winery and Schawk! Our expertise ranges from color management to developing workflow solutions and implementing automation workflows that are designed to cut down production time and dollars.

Ask us how! Contact us at:

phone: (510) 255-5035

email: info@rodsandcones.com

Not sure what product suits you best? Give us a call. We are here to help.

What we can do for you

Detailed Workflow Analysis
  • We interview high and mid-level management to understand the current workflow, what works and what doesn’t
  • We acquire an understanding of your current workflow, your equipment including age, brand, version, and those of your vendors
  • We find out how much your workflow costs
ROI
  • Based on our analysis, we develop a set of suggestions that will give you a more streamlined, easier and more cost-effective way of working
  • Our suggestions are coupled with the best technology available
  • We provide a cost estimate for equipment, staffing, space, and consulting fee
  • We develop an ROI
Solutions

The scope of our solution depends on your wishes. It will range from offering consulting services within your existing environment, to a new way of working that completely changes what you’re currently doing, if that’s warranted. We’ll help you decide the scope of your project.

Solutions include:

  • Soft and remote proofing
  • Good workflow practices using profiled monitors, standardized application settings and appropriate coordination with vendors
  • In-house proofers that produce accurate color proofs and eliminate multiple rounds of color corrections
  • In house production and prepress, including retouching
  • RGB and CMYK workflow solutions
  • Good photography practices
  • Digital workflow, from camera to press, or to large format output
  • Separate solutions for catalog and collateral, large format prints for retail, and internet
  • Staffing and organizational development
  • Press optimization
  • Proof to press using GRACoL G7 method and other standards
  • Print to digital solutions
Teaching and Training

We provide informational classes, seminars and hands-on sessions covering:

  • An overview on color management and digital workflows
  • Scenarios for more efficient and cost-effective workflows
  • About RGB workflows
  • About CMYK workflows
  • Regarding the pros and cons of bringing production and prepress in house
  • About the value of proofing
Rods and Cones Capabilities
  • Color management for content creator to press
  • GRACoL7 installations from proofing system to press, using the G7 method
  • We are FIRST-certified consultants for flexo printing
  • Develop standards and verification systems for multi-vendor print buyers
  • Design and implement prepress departments and related workflows in house
  • Recommend and implement automation systems
  • Certified Enfocus Switch and PitStop consultants
  • In-depth knowledge of most RIPs
  • Offers a digital publication bundles with software, training, and support
 

Rods and Cones: perfect color and custom workflows

Contact us now and find out how we can provide elegant solutions – to bring you out of chaos

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We’re ready to listen, contact us today to find out how Rods and Cones can bring you back from chaos!
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